How to Get YouTube Transcript on Mac [2026]

Getting YouTube transcripts on Mac is straightforward with multiple options. Whether you prefer Safari, Chrome, or command-line tools, this guide covers all Mac-specific methods.

Method Comparison for Mac

Method 1: Safari Browser

Native YouTube Transcript

1. 1.Open Safari (Cmd + Space, type "Safari")
2. 2.Go to YouTube (youtube.com)
3. 3.Navigate to video
4. 4.Click three-dot menu below video (...)
5. 5.Select "Show transcript"
6. 6.Copy text:

- Click in transcript panel

- Cmd + A (select all)

- Cmd + C (copy)

Safari Keyboard Shortcuts

Method 2: NoteLM.ai (Recommended)

Works with any Mac browser.

Steps

1. 1.Copy video URL:

- Click address bar (Cmd + L)

- Copy (Cmd + C)

1. 1.Open NoteLM.ai:

- New tab (Cmd + T)

- Go to notelm.ai

1. 1.Paste and extract:

- Paste URL (Cmd + V)

- Click "Get Transcript"

1. 1.Copy or download:

- Click "Copy" for clipboard

- Or "Download" for file

Why NoteLM.ai on Mac

• Works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox
• One-click copy with timestamps
• Download options (TXT, SRT)
• No Mac app needed

Method 3: Chrome Browser

If you prefer Chrome on Mac:

Install Chrome

# Or download from google.com/chrome
brew install --cask google-chrome

Chrome Advantages

• More extension options
• DevTools for advanced users
• Consistent with other platforms

Chrome Transcript Extensions

1. 1.Open Chrome Web Store
2. 2.Search "YouTube Transcript"
3. 3.Install extension
4. 4.Use on YouTube videos

Method 4: Terminal with yt-dlp

Mac's Terminal provides powerful transcript extraction.

Install Homebrew (if needed)

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Install yt-dlp

brew install yt-dlp

Download Transcript

# Download auto-generated captions
yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --skip-download "VIDEO_URL"

# Download as SRT format
yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --sub-format srt --skip-download "VIDEO_URL"

# English only
yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --sub-lang en --skip-download "VIDEO_URL"

Quick Terminal Access

• Spotlight: Cmd + Space, type "Terminal"
• Or use iTerm2 for better experience

Method 5: Automator Workflow

Create a Mac automation for transcript extraction.

Basic Quick Action

1. 1.Open Automator (Cmd + Space, "Automator")
2. 2.Choose "Quick Action"
3. 3.Add "Run Shell Script"
4. 4.Script:

# Input is YouTube URL from clipboard
URL=$(pbpaste)
VIDEO_ID=$(echo $URL | grep -oP 'v=\K[^&]+')

# Open NoteLM.ai with the video
open "https://notelm.ai/?v=$VIDEO_ID"

1. 1.Save as "Get YouTube Transcript"
2. 2.Access from Services menu

Usage

1. 1.Copy YouTube URL
2. 2.Click [App name] → Services → Get YouTube Transcript
3. 3.NoteLM.ai opens with video

Method 6: Mac Shortcuts App

For macOS Monterey and later:

Create Shortcut

1. 1.Open Shortcuts app
2. 2.Click + to create new
3. 3.Add actions:

- Get Clipboard

- Open URL (notelm.ai?url=[Clipboard])

1. 1.Name: "YouTube Transcript"
2. 2.Add to Menu Bar

Run Shortcut

• Copy YouTube URL
• Click Shortcuts icon in menu bar
• Select "YouTube Transcript"

Mac-Specific Tips

Quick Look Transcript Files

After downloading transcript:

1. 1.Select file in Finder
2. 2.Press Space bar
3. 3.Preview without opening app

Save to Notes App

1. 1.Copy transcript from NoteLM.ai
2. 2.Open Notes (Cmd + Space, "Notes")
3. 3.Create new note (Cmd + N)
4. 4.Paste (Cmd + V)

Add to Apple Reminders

For videos to transcribe later:

1. 1.Copy YouTube URL
2. 2.Share → Reminders
3. 3.Process later

Use Universal Clipboard

If you have iPhone/iPad:

1. 1.Copy URL on iPhone
2. 2.Paste on Mac immediately
3. 3.Works via iCloud

Safari Extensions

Extensions to Consider

Installing Safari Extensions

1. 1.Safari → Settings → Extensions
2. 2.Click "More Extensions"
3. 3.Opens App Store
4. 4.Search and install

Troubleshooting Mac Issues

Safari Not Showing Transcript

Try:

1. 1.Clear Safari cache (Cmd + Option + E)
2. 2.Disable content blockers temporarily
3. 3.Use Chrome as alternative

Terminal Command Not Found

Fix:

# Reinstall Homebrew
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Reinstall yt-dlp
brew reinstall yt-dlp

# Check path
echo $PATH

Download Goes to Wrong Folder

Check Downloads folder:

1. 1.Safari → Settings → General
2. 2."File download location"
3. 3.Set preferred folder

Can't Paste in Some Apps

Use "Paste and Match Style":

• Cmd + Shift + Option + V

Keyboard Shortcut Reference

Recommended workflow:

1. 1.Copy YouTube URL (Cmd + L, Cmd + C)
2. 2.Open NoteLM.ai (new tab)
3. 3.Paste URL and get transcript
4. 4.Copy to Notes or download file

Start getting YouTube transcripts on your Mac today!